The Cleveland Browns’ quarterback competition for the starting spot is getting interesting, with rookie Deshone Kizer narrowing the gap on Cody Kessler. Earlier, coach Hue Jackson made Kessler the Starting Quarterback in training camp but Kizer has displayed considerable improvement in the past few days, and that may make the Browns' coaching staff think twice.
Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that Kizer started out third in the rotation behind Kessler and Brock Osweiler. He made his mark on the coaching staff after completing several impressive passes to David Njoku in the end zone and to Seth DeValve over the middle.
Later in the day, Kizer returned to No. 3 but he did all of his reps with members of the first team.
New quarterbacks coach David Lee gushes over Kizer
New quarterbacks coach David Lee was impressed by what he saw from Kizer during minicamp. According to Lee, the 6-foot-4 Kizer is a smart football player, equipped with running and passing abilities. Jackson also commended Kizer for making the biggest improvement among the quarterbacks from the start of organized team activities. Kizer was touted as a first-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft but dropped to the second round, where he was picked by the Browns at No. 52. Judging by this showing, it seems as though his overall stock may be improving.
During his stint at Notre Dame, Kizer displayed his strong throwing arm and speed but had problems with accuracy. Kizer completed just 59 percent of his passes as he led the Irish to a record of 4-8 in 2016.
Brock Osweiler works with second team
Osweiler, for his part, took most of his reps with second-teamers for the majority of minicamp.
Earlier, Jackson said he was impressed with Osweiler’s showing in OTAs, boosting his chances of becoming the Browns’ starting quarterback. Among the three, Osweiler is the most experienced as a starter.
The Houston Texans signed him to a four-year, $72 million deal last season but he failed to deliver on his promise, throwing for 2,957 yards with 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
The Texans decided to part ways with Osweiler in the offseason, shipping him to the Browns for a 2017 fourth-round pick and $16 million in cash. The Browns, who got the Texans' 2018 second-round pick and a 2017 sixth-round pick, were expected to trade Osweiler before the trade deadline, but they gave him a chance to compete for the starting spot.
